Reversing ring to improve macro shooting perfomance
Reversing ring to improve macro shooting perfomance | ||
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For most photography, the lens-to-subject distance is greater than the lens-to-sensor distance, and most lenses, because they are not symmetrical, are designed to give their best performance in this configuration. However, with close-up and macro photography, depending on the lens and magnification being used, the lens-to-sensor distance may exceed the lens-to-subject distance. Better performance may be gained by reversing the lens onto bellows or extension tubes with a special reversing ring, restoring the configuration for which they are designed. Some manufacturers even recommend that some of their macro lenses perform better in a reversed position when used for magnifications greater than 1×. The mechanical and electronic linkages between the lens and camera are lost, however, and in practice, this technique is limited to studio applications. The rear element of the lens (now aimed at the subject) often stands proud of the lens assembly and may be prone to flare. A useful lens hood can be improvised with an extension tube of an appropriate length. Check for vignetting, and switch to a shorter tube if it is seen in the corners of the image. | ||